She is here!!

It happened! Hy and I welcomed our baby into the world! Nearly three weeks ago we welcomed EMILIA GRACE JOHNSON Into our little family! And she is perfect. And sweet. And beautiful. She is everything that I hoped for but never really thought that I deserved! It started at 37 weeks and 2 days. I had a regularly scheduled OBGYN visit and had been feeling really under the weather for a solid week. There was a bug going around and after 9+ months of avoiding all of the gunk going around, this one really knocked me over. Now normally my blood pressure is around 120/80, but at this visit it was 140/90. They tested me several times but it wasn't going down so I was sent to the hospital to see what was up. When I got to the hospital it was up to 166/98. After fluids and several hours of monitoring they let me go home. But not before scheduling me several non stress tests and doctor visits. I went from one doctor visit a month to 3-4 a week. It was entirely obnoxious, but nice seeing our baby in several ultrasounds. After a few more doctor visits of my blood pressure being being around 130-140, Dr. Wright called me at home with the news that she wanted to induce me. So I was scheduled for an induction at 39 weeks and one day (March 17th) at 8 pm. The last picture of me pregnant (not counting the ones where I am half naked on medicine ball, working through a contraction). I was given cervadil and pitocin, which didn't really bother me too bad. I was maxed out on pitocin for about 12 hours but it didn't effect me like most people. I was given two epidurals, the first one only numbed half of my body. After re adjusting it again with no change they removed it and implanted another! The staff was so nice during all of this (especially when Hy had to sit down because his blood sugar dropped and he turned white!). My water broke around midnight on Tuesday and at 5:02 am little Emilia was born! She was a long and lean 7#4oz and 20 inches long! I have always known in our almost six years of marriage that Hy would be an amazing daddy, but finally being able to witness it first hand was so beautiful. I do have to say that for all of the terrible things I have heard about childbirth, our experience was wonderful. It was just the two of us and our labor nurse for most of it. We had dim lighting and a really relaxed environment. Listening to Hy count kept me really calm and grounded. She had really terrible jaundice for a solid week and had to be in the Billi blanket, which is a horrible contraption, but we made the best of it. Now she is home and three weeks old. She is beautiful and so sweet and life feels really complete!

Going from needing a warrior to being one!

I've been wanting to say a few things about out journey getting to where we are now for a litle while. Sometimes you don't know exactly what you want to say until finally it just clicks. Hy and I tried to start our family with out really reaching for help, and we did this for quite a few years. When we finally realized that it wasn't working, we met with an OB/GYN named Dr. Tricia Wright. She did all of the standard tests that they want you to do before becoming pregnant, and then because of my age and generally great health, we were to try un assisted for one year. At the end of the year when we still weren't pregnant, instead of giving us the run around, she said "let's dig in and really see what we have here." I felt so relieved like some one was finally on my side. The amazing thing with my health insurance is that for the doctors to be employed there, they are required to have a certified specialty. Hers is infertility. Some how the stars aligned and my physician ended up being the go to for getting knocked up! After another really challenging couple of months and in the privacy of her office, she took my hand and said "McKenzi, whatever it takes, we are going to get you pregnant." And I believed her. Dr. Wright combined with the soul mate I call my husband, were my warriors. There were some ugly days, really ugly ones, where I wouldn't have recognized myself standing in front of a mirror. The journey wasn't easy and it wasn't pretty. But here I am today 34 weeks and 3 days pregnant with a perfectly healthy baby girl and I know I didn't get here alone. So thank you. First to my husband, for more things than I could ever say. Next to my beast of a doctor. And finally to everyone who said that it would happen and held my hand when it didn't. Especially my mom and sister Jess. 39 days until my due date, and until I get to be a warrior for my own little girl.

Oh baby!!

I haven't posted in so long and so many things have happened since I last did! The most important thing that has happened is that we are having a baby! I can't believe that this is actually my reality, but seeing as she is currently kicking my ribs I am inclined to believe it!!

We haven't really talked about it openly, but Hy and I have suffered through infertility for a long time. We have taken a few mental health breaks here and there: I got my degree, Hy switched careers, we took vacations, and expanded our puppy family. About two years ago we made it our main priority again to work on our family. We found a specialist, did endless tests and exams, ultrasounds, and had a few excruciating cyst ruptures ( and their corresponding blackouts). 

But here we are! It all started to come together with this beauty:

Something we hadn't ever seen before! That was only the first of a few beautiful signs. Our lives officially changed on July 20th ( which was my due date when I was inside of my own mom) !! Because of the medication I was on, I had to do a test on a certain day which was the 20th. I was hopeful but didn't think it would ever be our turn. But then this happened: 

I have never been more excited in my entire life! I ran to the doctor for blood confirmation and to buy more tests at the grocers! Hy was beyond thrilled and his reaction is one of the most special moments of my life. 

We got to see our baby at 9 1/2 week and I was petrified that things were going to be okay! Then we saw this and everything became very peaceful:

Everyone in our lives have been so supportive and this has been a really wonderful experience! I first felt the baby move about 16 1/2 weeks and it felt like a little cricket was hopping along in myM belly. We got to find out the sex of our baby at 19 1/2 weeks and I just knew it was a boy. Boy, was i wrong! 

Right before our appointment:

Our little baby GIRL Johnson!!

Now I'm 28 1/2 weeks along and just waiting to see our little girl! I will probably be blogging a lot more now that there is another person coming into our lives! But for now my ribs are sore and there is cinnamon buns to make! Happy New Years Eve everyone!!

This week...

Hy and I have just been working a bunch and spending lots of time outside getting some actual sunshine! We have been spending nearly every Sunday going out to breakfast followed by a trip out to the orchard house. The dogs love it and I love the riding lawn mower. Haha look how tired my boy is!

Working on our gardens like always

Getting my cook on

That salad is a mesclun mix with blue cheese, gruyere, pecorino romano, and a spicy apricot vinigrette. The steak is a pin wheel with sun dried tomatoes, feta, and basil. It was totally tasty.

Yes I love my dogs like children.

This cake is chocolate filled with pastry cream, strawberries, and black berries. Vanilla Buttercream and chocolate ganache.

This cake is yellow filled with two layers of coconut buttercream and one layer of mango buttercream. External cocout buttercream and toasted coconut.

We saw the new Jonny Depp Movie this weekend and it was totally cheesy and hilarious and we had a great time. I think that is it! Have a great week everyone.

5 years

Mr. Johnson and I got married 5 years ago on April 14th, 2007. Isn't it just crazy how time flies? Who is that really good looking couple?

For our anniversary he planned a trip away, and wouldn't tell me a single detail. Normally I am really bad at being suprised,but this time it was amazing. He snuck us away for the weekend to Bonneville Hot Springs Resort. This place is special for us because we first went there a few weekends after we got back from our honeymoon up and down the coast. We loved it so much but we have been busy and have gone to many other places, so it was nice to have a little visit back. He took care of everything: flowers, champagne, chocolate, hot tub... everything was taken care of and waiting for us when we got there.

One of the biggest draws for people going to Bonneville is their personal decks with private hot tubs filled with the healing water from the hot springs. They are so amazing and far too relaxing.

The place is so beautiful and totally worth the price. If nothing else, they have their own full length mini golf course!

They have an incredible restaurant inside of the resort and our dinner was amazing. H had the filet mignon wrapped in bacon

I had the duck breast with a red pepper polenta cake. The duck was to die for! Oh man.

I have been asked this question a few times, so before I post this picture I must say: This picture was not taken post coitus! We were hot tubbing. Haha.

We had a really lovely time and here are a few more random pictures from the weekend.

I hope that everyone has a really lovely weekend. Let's hope that the sun shines!